Advice for Saving Money

– Avoid the Italian restaurants and the sushi in the city centre and buy Czech food. You will discover better value for money in the favourite local restaurants. Search for set lunch specials that offer excellent value.

– Always try to pay in local Czech crowns when possible. Even though euros are accepted at businesses such as department stores and most tourist restaurants, the exchange rate is never favourable. You might end up overpaying by 10 to 15%. Also keep in mind that the change you receive back will be in Czech crowns.

– Don’t forget that lots of local dishes are sufficiently big to share, and that these can be complemented well with a traditional Czech beer. Beer brewed locally is double the size of any beer you may order from a public house at home.

– Do not exchange money at the airport. Instead, obtain the local currency using your ATM card.

Stay away from private exchange booths in the popular tourist areas. They attract you in with appealing exchange rates, but might charge you huge commission. On top of that, the best rates are usually offered only for large transactions, for example above £400. Confirm the rates carefully, and ask exactly how much you’ll get before handing over any money. In the same way, hotel receptions seldom offer an attractive rate.

– When you visit the theatre, request and reserve the least expensive seats (normally about 150 CZK). At a gorgeous venue like Municipal House, the National Theatre or the State Opera House; even the cheap seats are fantastic.

– Do not be concerned about omitting museums if you are on a budget – Prague is a city better explored outside and by foot, so visit the free attractions of the city instead. Lots of museums also allow free admission on particular days, or very big discounts for students and seniors.

– Have some small change to hand to use in tram ticket machines and public lavatories, and always attempt to keep some smaller denomination banknotes for cafés, bars, taxis and shops. Occasionally, your cab driver, or a smaller bar, may not be able to give you change for bigger domination banknotes and you’ll have to leave a larger than necessary tip.

– Whilst a gratuity is occasionally added to your bill in the more upmarket venues, it is still standard procedure in cafés, mid-range restaurants and pubs to add 10 to 15 percent, if the service has been satisfactory. However, if your budget is tight and the service was not good, then there is no shame in taking back all of your change.